By Dan Walsh at the Wexford Festival
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, was on Wexford Quay this evening where he performed the official launch of the 72nd Wexford Festival Opera. The event was accompanied by a colourful fireworks display in pleasant weather conditions.
Cllr John Hegarty, Mayor of Wexford, spoke briefly and encouraged the large attendance “to get out over the next two weeks and enjoy yourselves at the many events taking place in the town.”
Chairman of Wexford Festival Opera, Paul Cleary said it was a great honour to be present and to participate in the 72nd Wexford Festival, which he stated; “Has grown from humble beginnings to the international festival it is today.”
Also on stage this evening was Paul Kehoe TD, Maurice McCarthy was brilliant in the master of ceremonies role, as always, and a number of performers participated in the ‘warm up’ before the arrival of the dignitaries and the fireworks.
Speaking to WexfordLocal.com, President of County Wexford Chamber of Commerce, Brendan Crowley, expressed his delight to welcome everyone to the 69th Fringe Festival. “The Fringe Festival has always run side-by-side with the very special Opera Festival offering something different in terms of music and entertainment alongside the three featured operas being performed this year,” stated Mr. Crowley.
One of the most popular fringe events is the Guinness Singing and Swinging Pubs competition which visits 25 different establishments this year and a calendar is available in the Wexford Fringe 2023 Guide.
The festival runs for 13 days – October 24th to November 5th – with 70 events.
WexfordLocal.com 